Projector, screen, projector system, and scintillation removing apparatus for removing scintillation on an image display using a vibration generating unit

Abstract

A projector includes a light diffusing unit that is vibratably provided to diffuse incident light by a vibration and to emit diffused light, the light diffusing unit having a unique resonance frequency, a vibration generating unit that has a piezoelectric element for vibrating the light diffusing unit, and a control unit that controls the vibration generating unit to vibrate the light diffusing unit at a frequency corresponding to the unique resonance frequency of the light diffusing unit. An image is displayed using the diffused light emitted from the light diffusing unit.

1. A projector comprising:
 a light diffusing unit that is vibratably provided to diffuse incident light by a vibration and to emit diffused light, the light diffusing unit having a unique resonance frequency, the light diffusing unit displaying an image using the diffused light emitted from the light diffusing unit, and the light diffusing unit comprising a frame; 
 a vibration generating unit that has a piezoelectric element for vibrating at least the frame of the light diffusing unit; and 
 a control unit that controls the vibration generating unit to vibrate the light diffusing unit at a frequency corresponding to the unique resonance frequency of the light diffusing unit. 
 
     
     
       2. The projector according to  claim 1 , a plurality of vibration generating units being provided. 
     
     
       3. The projector according to  claim 2 , the plurality of vibration generating units including a first vibration generating unit and a second vibration generating unit, a first vibration direction of the first vibration generating unit being perpendicular to a second vibration direction of the second vibration generating unit with respect to a principal plane of the light diffusing unit. 
     
     
       4. The projector according to  claim 3 ,
 the frame being vibratable in a first direction, 
 the light diffusing unit further comprising a light diffusing unit main body that is vibratable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and relatively with respect to the frame, and 
 the vibration generating units respectively vibrating the frame and the light diffusing unit main body. 
 
     
     
       5. The projector according to  claim 2 , driving signals having waveforms out of phase being respectively input to the piezoelectric elements of at least a first vibration generating unit and a second vibration generating unit among the plurality of vibration generating units. 
     
     
       6. The projector according to  claim 5 , the relationship f 1 =n×f 2  being satisfied, where n is a natural number of 1 or more, being satisfied, fl being a first excitation frequency of the first vibration generating unit and f 2  being a second excitation frequency of the second vibration generating unit. 
     
     
       7. The projector according to  claim 1 , the light diffusing unit having a plurality of resonance frequencies corresponding to different vibration modes. 
     
     
       8. The projector according to  claim 7 , the plurality of resonance frequencies being approximately the same. 
     
     
       9. The projector according to  claim 1 , the unique resonance frequency of the light diffusing unit being 20 kHz or more. 
     
     
       10. The projector according to  claim 1 , the light diffusing unit being rotatable with a support member as a fulcrum, the support member being disposed at a position where a vibration node of the light diffusing unit is disposed. 
     
     
       11. The projector according to  claim 1 , the vibration generating unit having a fixed end outside of the light diffusing unit, a vibration being applied to the light diffusing unit from the vibration generating unit outside the light diffusing unit. 
     
     
       12. The projector according to  claim 1 ,
 the vibration generating unit being provided close to a light incident surface and a light emergent surface of the light diffusing unit and not having a fixed end outside the light diffusing unit. 
 
     
     
       13. A screen comprising:
 a light diffusing unit that is vibratably provided to diffuse incident light by a vibration and to emit diffused light, the light diffusing unit having a unique resonance frequency, and the light diffusing unit comprising at least one of a frame and a main body; 
 a vibration generating unit that has a piezoelectric element for vibrating the at least one of the frame and the main body of the light diffusing unit; and 
 a control unit that controls the vibration generating unit to vibrate the light diffusing unit at a frequency corresponding to the unique resonance frequency of the light diffusing unit. 
 
     
     
       14. A projector system comprising:
 the screen according to  claim 13 ; and 
 a projector main body that projects image light on the screen. 
 
     
     
       15. A scintillation removing apparatus comprising:
 a light diffusing unit that is vibratably provided to diffuse incident light by a vibration and to emit diffused light, the light diffusing unit having a unique resonance frequency, and the light diffusing unit comprising at least one of a frame and a main body; 
 a vibration generating unit that has a piezoelectric element for vibrating the at least one of the frame and the main body of the light diffusing unit; and 
 a control unit that controls the vibration generating unit to vibrate the light diffusing unit at a frequency corresponding to the unique resonance frequency of the light diffusing unit. 
 
     
     
       16. A scintillation removing apparatus for use with a casing, comprising:
 a light diffusing unit that diffuses light, the light diffusing unit comprising at least one of a frame and a main body; 
 at least one support member that supports the light diffusing unit within the casing; 
 a vibration generating unit including a piezoelectric element that vibrates the at least one of the frame and the main body of the light diffusing unit; 
 a control signal generating unit that stores a unique frequency of the light diffusing unit and generates a control signal to vibrate the vibration generating unit at the unique frequency of the light diffusing unit; and 
 a driving unit that receives the control signal from the control signal generating unit and supplies a driving voltage to vibrate the vibration generating unit. 
 
     
     
       17. The scintillation removing apparatus according to  claim 16 , the at least one support member being formed of an elastic material. 
     
     
       18. The scintillation removing apparatus according to  claim 16 , the at least one support member vibratably supporting the light diffusing unit such that the light diffusing unit does not come into contact with the casing. 
     
     
       19. The scintillation removing apparatus according to  claim 16 , the at least one support member being disposed at a position where a vibration node of a light diffusing unit is disposed.